September 16, 2015 by Stephanie

Fit for Me 37/52

What I did last week:

Thursday-30 minutes on a bike. Keeping it light before my race.

Sunday-I completed the Plaza 10k in Kansas City. This was a great race, and I actually got a PR by 20 seconds.

Tuesday-30 minutes on a bike. Keeping it light after my race.

Impressed by:

I definitely do not feel as in shape as I was a couple years ago when I ran my last 10K, but I still managed to knockout a PR this weekend. This was a great race to do so because there were minimal hills, and the weather was perfect! And I love running through my hometown.

Struggled with:

I did struggle with an IT band issue Sunday, but I managed to work through it during the run.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

I DID! I am still not sure how I did it, but I did. At the 5K split, I was shocked by my time and thought, “hey I could actually do this.” So I really really pushed myself those last three miles. I may have only beat it by about 20 seconds, but I still did!

What is my goal for next week?

I just want to do three workouts this week.

Fitness Thoughts:

Race thoughts are fun, so here was what I was thinking during my race during each mile.

Before the Start: It is freezing, but I don’t want to have my jacket when I inevitably get hot later. Let’s just awkwardly walk through the crowds alone trying to keep warm. I really need to find people to run these with me.

In the corrals: Watching the sunrise is beautiful but so is sleep. Although it is not every day that I get to watch the sunrise over KC. It’s too bad the Royals weren’t playing this weekend.

Start: Alright self, your training was mediocre, but you pushed a baby out so you can do this. Stay with those girls, they seem entertaining.

Mile 1: Ok so my goal is to run this full mile and see how I feel. Going alright, 11 minute pace isn’t bad. No big complaints yet.

Mile 2: Someone said there are a couple bad hills…I hope we aren’t going through THAT part of the Plaza. I think I may be able to run this whole mile too! Look at me go! Aww everyone is thanking the cops for coming out. I might cry. I ran this whole mile too!

Mile 3: WTH. I need water. Where is this water stop? I need to walk. I need water. I may be dying. I think my leg might fall off. Of course my knee is fine but my thigh is on fire. I hate this. Why do I do this to myself? WATER STOP!!!

Mile 4: That is my 5K split? Pat myself on the back! Ok so this might actually happen. Steph move your legs. Ahh that IT band is against me. Stop and stretch. There are hardly any spectators on this race. Where are all the clever signs? People have to be really rich to live down here.

Mile 5: I have so got this. WATER STOP! This is a much better race than a half marathon. I am almost done. Shoot that old grandpa is passing me. Push it, push it real good. Ugh I really need to walk, no you don’t you are almost done. There are no hills I hope there isn’t one in the last mile. Man I am sweaty. I am glad I didn’t bring my jacket.

Mile 6: Ok only one left. Thigh you better start cooperating. Lord please just give me enough energy to get to the end. Just finish this up and you can get home to your boy. Oh and BDs for lunch! I want to eat all the things!

Last 0.2: Kick it into gear. You are so close to beating your time. There is the end. RUN!!!

End: OMG! I did it! Where are the cookies? Why do they insist on making you stand still when they give you the medal. I just was consistently moving for the past hour, and now you want me to come to a complete stop so you can give me this medal. Holy MOLY that is the biggest medal EVER! Again, where are those cookies?

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I thought about a lot of other things along the race, but that was the gist of it. Mile three was the hardest mile for me, but I actually was able to run most it outside of the water stops. I ran all of miles 1, 2, 5, and 6. Well 5 had the water stop, but I can’t run and drink water, so I don’t really count that. I managed to keep between a 11-12 minute pace for most of the race. I’d say for just having a baby a year ago, moving twice, starting a new job, AND being 30, that was a job well done. Since I had George a year ago, this was a really good reminder to always push myself to take care of my health and see what my body is capable of.

I think I may do this race again next year, and try to do some more serious training. Moving really knocked that out for me. Or I may do a completely different 10k. I really like this distance! I am a little too slow to do any better on a 5k, and I don’t think my body can handle another half marathon. I know I am not fast by any means. My next goal is to get under 1:10 for my 10K time. It’s not much off this race, but maybe I could be a little more prepared for mile 3. I also think having a running buddy would push me a little more during the day.

What are your thoughts on race day? Do you know of some good 10Ks I can run?

September 10, 2015 by Stephanie

35 Before 35 in August

While this past month was a busy one with school starting and George’s birthday, I managed to get things marked off the list!

1. Crochet something else besides blankets or scarves at least once a year (~~2013~~, ~~2014~~, ~~2015~~, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

2. ~~Do a photography challenge~~

FINISHED! I am still not a perfect photographer, but I definitely know that I am made some vast improvements over the past year with getting my camera out at least once a week. An added bonus is having pictures documenting George’s first year. I managed to keep up with the challenge of taking weekly photos of him! Here are some of the last pictures that I haven’t shared yet.

I don’t think I will still get it out each week because that was somewhat of a challenge, but I think I still want to do at least once a month. I do want to challenge myself to get IN FRONT of my camera a little more this year. I have hardly any pictures of me and George.

3. ~~Visit 5 cities I have never been to before~~ (7/5)

4. ~~Tour at least one a winery, brewery, or distillery~~

5. Send at least 5 snail mail a month

6. ~~Become a “professional” photographer~~

7. Run at least 10 races (any distance) (4/10)

8. Go camping with Tom

9. ~~Pay for the car behind me in a drive through~~

10. See Tyrone Wells live as many times as possible

11. ~~Tour Fort Defiance here in Clarksville~~

12. ~~Water ski with my dad~~

We went to the lake at the beginning of August to visit my dad and step-mom at their new condo down there. I was able to get up on the skis quite a bit. It was awesome! George wasn’t as fond of the lake as I was, and I am hoping that changes since I love the water. But at least he was stinking cute!

13. Do a 5K with my mom

14. Take a swing dance class with Tom

15. Read at least one fun book a month and one professional development book every three months

I have a lot of books on the docket. I have been doing a good job reading at least a few pages each day.

16. Take a pottery or stained glass class

17. Do one new recipe each month

I did two this month.
Chicken Noodle Casserole-This is ok. It makes a lot, but it wasn’t our favorite recipe. Tom thought it was too spicy, which isn’t saying a lot on the scale of spicy fyi. Since he didn’t really like it though, I probably won’t make it again.
I had found a Salisbury steak recipe on Pinterest but the link is broken when I went to make it. I had already bought those ingredients so I made the actual recipe up from other salisbury steak recipes. I modeled it mostly off this one. I used 1/4 tsp of onion powder instead of an onion, and french onion soup instead of beef gravy. This was SOOOOO delicious! It is super quick and easy to make too. I am always in the search of recipes that take less than 30 minutes and aren’t pasta, so this was a huge win! So yummy! Tom and George thought it was great too!

18. See both a Clemson and UCM football game live

I don’t think it will happen this year, but I am excited that it’s back in action! I starting to teach George the cheers!

19. ~~Find a place to volunteer on a regular basis~~

20. Go hiking

21. Ride in a hot air balloon

22. ~~Go to at least 20 “new to me” restaurants.~~ (28/20)

While I was in Iowa, we went to Zombie Burger in Des Moines. Pretty delicious! I had a pretty straight forward bleu cheese burger, but they have some really creative sandwiches like one with a mac and cheese bun.

23. ~~Stay at a bed and breakfast~~

24. Spend a day without electronics (phone, t.v. and computer)

25. Do something unique and new for my birthdays

26. ~~Explore Nashville while we live here~~

27. Watch at least 10 movies that I have not seen before that won Best Picture at the Oscars and at least 20 documentaries (not necessarily Oscar winning) Movies (2/10); Documentaries (7/20)

28. Sew an item of clothing from scratch

29. Do a personal devotional/bible study on my own

30. Be a mascot for an event

31. Go on our honeymoon (preferably somewhere tropical)

Well the plan to go somewhere for our 5th anniversary next year I don’t think will work. It really isn’t practical right now to do something big and extravagant with just purchasing a house. So we have started a savings bank just for this to start putting away each month to make it more practical down the road. I’ll keep dreaming about beaches and fruity drinks in the meantime.

32. Host an annual NCAA Basketball Tournament Championship game party

33. Go on a mission trip

34. Be on a recreation volleyball team

35. ~~Become a mom~~

Little man is one! And his first word was “mama!”

August 20, 2015 by Stephanie

10 Dream (US) Destinations

Today my summer is officially over as new students start orientation today. Let’s take a second and say where did the summer go. Cliche, but true. Also how am I already starting my second year here?

So it seems appropriate to dream about vacations right when summer is dying down right?

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about different places I wanted to go around the world.

Here are some places I would love to visit right here in the United States. These are all places that I have never been to, because the place I want to go back to visit is Charleston, South Carolina. Every Day, All Day.

So where would I be going?

Montana Glacier National Park

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I have read a lot about this place. One just look at it. Amazing. Two, this is probably a vacation I could get my husband on board with because of wilderness.

Maine

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I think this would be a great early fall destination. I have never been to the Northeast really, and everything about Maine seems lovely. Also let’s talk about the food options.

Hawaii

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So if I am going to be honest, there was a small portion of me that hoped Tom would have been stationed in Hawaii. I mean look at it. I would be so relaxed on that beach! I love the ocean and sun so much. I think I was born in the wrong part of the country sometimes.

Grand Canyon

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I think most people want to go here, so I will jump on that American bandwagon. There is just something about this place that just leaves me in awe.

Yellowstone National Park

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This is another place I could convince Tom to go with me. The untouched nature would just be interesting to experience.

San Francisco, California

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This place just looks like a good time. There is just so much to see and do. It just seem like a happening place that also has some interesting flair to it that you won’t see elsewhere. This would be a great girlfriend trip someday.

Asheville, North Carolina

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I am still kicking myself for not getting to Asheville while I lived in Clemson. Oh well. I would love to see the Biltmore, but Asheville has a really eclectic culture that I would like to experience. And I have heard some of the restaurants in the area are wonderful. You also can’t beat the scenery of this area!

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

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This place just doesn’t seem real from the pictures. I would LOVE to see these in real life. So beautiful.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

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Doesn’t this place just look cool? There are just so many interesting things about this place. It is very unique. And beaches always get me going.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

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I want to go here simply to see the hot air balloon festival. And maybe I could ride in one.

So there you have it. These are just some of the places I want to go stateside.

Have you been to any of these? Where would you go?

August 9, 2015 by Stephanie

35 Before 35 Update

Another month has come and gone.

1. Crochet something else besides blankets or scarves at least once a year (~~2013~~, ~~2014~~, ~~2015~~, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

2. Do a photography challenge

This time next month, I will have completed my year challenge! Here are some that I haven’t shared somewhere on the blog yet.

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3. ~~Visit 5 cities I have never been to before~~ (7/5)

4. ~~Tour at least one a winery, brewery, or distillery~~

5. Send at least 5 snail mail a month

6. ~~Become a “professional” photographer~~

7. Run at least 10 races (any distance) (4/10)

I did Kicks in the Sticks this weekend. It was a 3.5 trail run. It was definitely all trail and not much run.

8. Go camping with Tom

9. ~~Pay for the car behind me in a drive through~~

10. See Tyrone Wells live as many times as possible

11. ~~Tour Fort Defiance here in Clarksville~~

12. Water ski with my dad

13. Do a 5K with my mom

14. Take a swing dance class with Tom

15. Read at least one fun book a month and one professional development book every three months

16. Take a pottery or stained glass class

17. Do one new recipe each month

I made Zucchini Blueberry Bread. I received so many compliments for this bread. Compliments like, “This is better than my grandma’s.” Pat myself on the back.
I tried a one pot recipe. It was super easy and quick. AND MADE SO MUCH. Go try this recipe now. Tom’s only recommendation is more sausage.
We made this casserole this weekend while my mom visited. It was pretty tasty, but I would recommend more cheese.

18. See both a Clemson and UCM football game live

19. ~~Find a place to volunteer on a regular basis~~

20. Go hiking

That trail run was pretty much hiking.

21. Ride in a hot air balloon

22. ~~Go to at least 20 “new to me” restaurants.~~ (27/20)

International Cafe-small greek cafe here in town that has great gyros!
Ingredient-restaurant downtown with great burgers (my mouth is watering thinking about that bleu cheese burger I had), but it seemed a little over-priced for what they were offering.

23. ~~Stay at a bed and breakfast~~

24. Spend a day without electronics (phone, t.v. and computer)

25. Do something unique and new for my birthdays

26. ~~Explore Nashville while we live here~~

27. Watch at least 10 movies that I have not seen before that won Best Picture at the Oscars and at least 20 documentaries (not necessarily Oscar winning) Movies (2/10); Documentaries (7/20)

28. Sew an item of clothing from scratch

29. Do a personal devotional/bible study on my own

30. Be a mascot for an event

31. Go on our honeymoon (preferably somewhere tropical)

32. Host an annual NCAA Basketball Tournament Championship game party

33. Go on a mission trip

34. Be on a recreation volleyball team

35. ~~Become a mom~~

George started walking this last month! Big milestone!

I would say I didn’t do too bad this month considering we were moving practically the whole month. Here’s to another month of living!

August 2, 2015 by Stephanie

Home.

So we are new homeowners.

While it is mostly been a good endeavor, there have been some struggles.

So Tom and I have come up with our pro/con list of new homeownership.

Pro-Awesome big windows that allow for natural lighting pretty much all day.

Con-Having to find curtains and real blinds for said windows. (read spend lots of money)

Pro-Big yard that allows the dogs to run A LOT; they basically have a dog park. And hopefully it will be a great space for George to play once he is not walking around like a drunk.

Con-Typically cities own dog parks and have crews to maintain that greenspace. It takes Tom pretty much a whole day to mow and weed eat. And this doesn’t even begin to factor in the future flower and vegetable/fruit beds we hope to have. Work.

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Pro-An unfinished basement allows us to have a lot of potential to design a space exactly how we like.

Con-An unfinished basement is just that, an unfinished basement. It’s a soul sucking abyss of things that you still own and plans that haven’t happened yet.

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Pro-We don’t have to ask permission to do ANYTHING. General maintenance can just be done. And we can paint a room any color we want.

Con-We have to pay for general maintenance. We can’t just call someone and say come fix it.

Pro-We finally have space for any type of furniture we want. We can actually have nice grown up furniture especially since we know we wont be moving anytime soon. So the investments seems to go longer.

Con-Who can afford all this furniture? We have empty rooms right now. Also nice furniture takes time to deliver…Lawn chairs it is then.

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Pro-Wood floors look great.

Con-Unless they are the slightest bit dirty (with dog hair), then they look awful. And don’t even get me started on the price of rugs that are apparently needed with wood floors. I might as well have carpet…

While it can be daunting to have a house with the work that goes into it, we actually have a lot of pros.

Tom finally has a shop. We have a dining room that is just a dining room and not part of another room. We have three bathrooms. I have a kitchen I can do pretty much anything in and not feel cramped. And hopefully someday very soon, I will have a craft room!

And this little man gets the space to explore, dream, and let his imagination run wild.

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I may be in the minority saying that I actually like that we are paying a mortgage. Yea it stinks to be tied down for that time financially, however I now feel that I am investing in my own space instead of throwing away rent money. We also settled on a place that meant our mortgage payment was not much more than we were already paying for rent, so it hopefully wont be too much of a hit. Note: if I had a choice of not paying anything for a house, I would take that offer like George takes pasta, immediately.

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This was Tom’s response to buying a house. “What’s the next adult thing we have to do? Do we buy a van?”

This weekend we moved the last of our stuff to the new house. There are days were I am still in awe that we live here permanently. (Part of that could be because we have nothing on the walls yet and still many boxes to unpack and organize.) The longest we have lived somewhere is 3 years (outside of our childhood homes). Throughout our relationship we have moved collectively 11 times. Eleven times in eight years.

Well we are finally home. I can’t wait to see all the memories made. The meals shared. George’s first. Maybe another baby. Just the regular days.

It’s time to settle for real. Naturally, we are all excited.

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Forewarning, this may turn into more of a DIY/home-makeover blog. We are compiling a long to-do list by room that I will be adding as a new page to the blog so you can follow along in our homemaking endeavors.

Don’t worry there will still be lots of George posts.